Provincial and local government director-general Zam Titus, who headed the inquiry, said deliberations ended yesterday, but no decision had been taken yet on Shaik's punishment.

Shaik was found guilty by the commission last week of illegally disclosing confidential information contained in the auditor-general's draft report on the arms deal.

"I will make my judgment sometime next week," Titus said today. The announcement would probably be made by Secretary of Defence, January Masilela.

The AG's draft report, which was critical of Shaik's involvement in the multibillion rand deal, was given to Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota late last year.

The report was handed to Shaik for comment, who passed it on to his lawyers, who in turn took up the issue with Auditor-General Shauket Fakie.

Shaik promised to challenge the findings of the inquiry earlier this week.